Collapsible baby carriage



H. F. SHAW coLLAPsIBLE BABY CARRIAGE 1.

Nov. 29, 1949 2,489,593

Filed Feb. l5, 1946 v 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 H. F. SHAW COLLAPSIBLE BABY CARRIAGE Nov. 29, 1949 Filed Feb. 175, 1946 Patented Nov. 29, 1949 COLLAPSIBLE BABY CARRIAGE Harold F. Shaw, Leominster, Mass., assignor to F. A. Whitney Carriage Company, Leominster, Mass., a corporation of Massachusetts Application February'15, 1946, Serial No. 647,748

Claims.

This invention relates to collapsible baby carriages and the primary object is to provide a carriage which may be folded compactly but which when erected will have an attractive appearance hitherto attained only in rigid carriages, usually those constructed with wooden bodies.

My invention will be best understood by reference to the following description taken in connection with the accompanying drawings, wherein:

Fig. 1 is a side elevation of the carriage, the construction of which exemplifies the invention, the parts being in the erected position which they occupy when the carriage is in use;

Fig. 2 is a similar View showing the carriage collapsed;

Fig. 3 is a view from the same point of view as Fig. 2 showing the skeleton of the compressible or collapsible body separated from the body enclosures and from the running gear;

Fig. 4 is a section on the line 4--4 of Fig. 1 on an enlarged scale;

Fig. 5 is a longitudinal section on a larger scale through the rear end of the body illustrating the drop end in its open position;

Fig. 6 is a fragmentary plan looking downwardly from line 6-6 of Fig. 1, the body proper being omitted; and

Fig. 7 is a fragmentary side elevation and Fig. 8, a fragmentary end elevation illustrating the latching means for the pusher handle.

Referring now to Fig. 1 of the drawings in contrast to Fig. 2, it will be seen that the carriage illustrated has a body of basin-like character which is adapted to compress or fold vertically in the manner of an opera hat or an accordion. For this purpose it is organized on a skeleton comprising upper and lower frames I0 and I2, which may desirably be frames in the sense that they are rectangles, a suitable collapsible linkwork being interposed between the frames at either side. The particular `form of linkwork shown is not novel to the present application and embodies toggles I4 extending between the frames I0 and I2, which toggles are substantially upright when erected, the centers of which are joined by a link I6 and which are also connected by a diagonal constraining link I8. When the toggles are folded toward the right in Fig. 1, the two frames I0 and I2 approach each other, as seen in Figs. 2 and 3.

Referring to Fig. 4, the inner enclosure of the body comprises sides of flexible material depending from the upper frame I0 which may be connected to a rigid bottom 22 supported by cross-members 24 spanning the sides ofthe lower frame I2 and desirably having a foot-well extension 25, as shown in dotted lines in Fig. 1. An outer enclosure of flexible upholstery fabric 26 covers the linkwork'on the exterior and the lower edges of the lateral portions thereof may be backed by stiffening members or panels 28 (Fig. 4), the upper edges of which are secured to the sides of the frame I2 and which dene the contour of the lower portion of the body. The enclosures in the zones between the two frames fold together in pleats when the linkages are collapsed to the position of Fig. 2.

The running gear comprises fixedly spaced axles 3l] which carry longitudinal springs 32 having upwardly and inwardly recurved ends 34. Shackles at the forward end of the body and 38 at the rearward end of the body are pivoted to the adjacent ends of the springs and the relation of the parts is such that the other end of the shackles will, when the body is erected to the position of Fig. 1, lie laterally outside the wall of the exterior body enclosure within the projected outlines thereof. The body may be suspended from said other ends of the shackles 36 and 38 in the following manner. At the front end they are pivoted to the upturned ends of brackets 40 extending downwardly from the lower frame I2 and recurved about the lower margin of the panel 28 which defines the margin of the exterior body so that the'pivot point is above such margin and within the projected outline of the body. At the rear end the shackles are pivoted'to the elements 43, which are physically separate elements, but in effect extensions of the arms of a bail-like pusher handle 42, the pivotal connections being at points which again lie exteriorly to the body enclosure and within the projected outlines thereof, the pusher handle arms being pivoted at a relatively elevated point to brackets 44 extending from the lower frame' I2.

Links 46 connected tothe arms' of'the pusher at points 'I0 may extend therefrom, preferably through short discontinuities in the seams joining the lateral and end walls of the outer body enclosure and be each connected to one of the toggles'M to operate the linkworkof which the toggles form a part in well Vknown manner. The links 56, however, are preferably extended rearwardly of the arms, as shown in Fig. l, and hence recurved to their point of connection 1li, as best seen in Fig. 6, so as to provide open throats into which the margins of the outer body enclosure may enter, as indicated in Fig. 2, when the actual points of attachment move in past the margins of the body.

When the handle 42 is moved from the generally vertical position of Fig. 1 to the generally horizontal position of Figs. 2 and 3, the linkwork of the skeleton collapses and the frames IU and l2 move toward each other. The entire body is also lowered toward the axles. rIhe extended portion 43 of the handle 42 below its pivot point 45 on the brackets 44 will swing to the left in the figures, swinging the shackles 38 clockwise into the concavity of the adjacent spring ends 34. At the forward ends of the body the shackles 36 will swing counterclockwise to accommodate the resultant lowering movement of the rear or lefthand end of the lower frame and will likewise swing into the concavity of the adjacent spring end, the lower frame l2 of the body thus being brought closer to the plane of the axles 30, as is apparent from a comparison of Figs. 1 and 2.

'I'he arrangements for latching the pusher handle 42 in the generally vertical position which it occupies when the body is expanded and the carriage in use are shown in detail in Figs. 6, 7, and 8. Extending between the lower ends 43 of the handle is a cross-bar 4l which is engaged by recesses (see Fig. 7) in latches 48 pivoted at 49 to the longitudinal frame members l2 and drawn by springs l) into interlocking engagement with the bar 4l. Extensions 52 of these latches which, in the embodiment shown are separate pieces rigidly secured thereto, provide manipulating portions to be engaged by the fingers or the foot for rocking them against the springs to release the handle. These two latches are independent and each must be released by a separate actuation. Thus accidental unlatching of the handle is prevented, which unlatching might release it to the stress of the springs and the weight of the loaded carriage to cause it to swing in over the body to or toward the position of Fig. 2 perhaps t0 strike the occupant of the carriage.

Herein the left-hand end of the body is provided (see Fig. 5) with an opening 54 which will be normally closed by a panel 56 hinged at the lower margin of the opening and secured in such position by a releasable catch 58 adapted to be engaged with a keeper 50 at the upper margin. Flexible gores E52 connect the sides of the panels and the marginal sides of the opening and preferably also a flexible member B4 joins these and connects the top margin of the panel to the upper gin of the opening. When the panel is lowcred to the position of Fig. 5 on release of the latch, the panel is supported by the lateral gores S2 substantially in the plane of the bottom of the inner body enclosure and an extension of the interior spaces of the carriage body is provided. I-Ierein the panel is formed by two stiff portions E5 and 58 exteriorly covered with fabric 26a matching the fiexible exterior covering 25 of the body and in eiiect forming a portion thereof and dening a horizontal fold line 'm' between the parts te and 53. The fabric extending across this fold-line forms the flexible hinge for the panel. When the panel is in its latched-up position, as in Fig. l, and the carriage is collapsed, the panel may buckle along this fold to follow the buckling or folding up of the side walls of the body enclosures.

I am aware that the invention may be embodied in other specific forms without departing from the spirit or essential attributes thereof, and I therefore desire the present embodiment to be considered in all respects as illustrative and not restrictive, as is in fact clear in several matters from the description itself. Reference is to be had to the appended claims to indicate those principles of the invention exemplified by the particular embodiment described and which I desire to secure by Letters Patent.

I claim:

1. A baby carriage comprising a body skeleton including upper and lower frames and folding linkwork interposed between the frames which, when erected, definitely spaces the same, inner and outer body enclosures having flexible sides extending between the frames and between which the linkwork is received, a running gear, longitudinal springs carried thereby having upwardly and inwardly curving ends at either end of the body, shackles each having one end connected to the end of a spring, the other ends being normally disposed, in the erected position of the carriage, outwardly ofv the, lateral. sides of the body. and, within the projected outlines thereof, and means for supporting the,` other ends of the shackles from the lower frame comprising portions, rigid withl the, frame and extending outwardly beyond thelateral margins of the body, then transversely crossing said margins and thence extendingexteriorly of said sides and pivoted to Said other ende 2. A baby carriage. GQmprisng a bedy skeleton including upper and lower frames and folding linkwcrk interposedbetween the frames which, when erected, deiinitel-y spacesA the same, inner and cuterfbody enclosures having flexible sides extending. between the frames and between which the link-work is. received, a running gear, longitudinal springs carried thereby having upwardly and inwardly4 curving ends at either end of the body, shackles each having one end connected to the end of a spring, the other ends being normally disposed, in the erected position of the carriage, outwardly of the lateral sides of the body and within the projected outlines thereof, a bail pusher handle at one end of the carriage having arms lying outward of the lateral sides of the outer body, the other ends of the shackles being pivoted to the ends of said arms, brackets extending from the lower frame outwardly beyond the margins of the lateral sides on which the arms are, pivoted, and brackets extending from the lower frame and encircling the margin of the lateral sides connecting the other ends of theV shackles at the other end of the carriage to the frame.`

3. A baby carriage comprising a body skeleton including upper and lower frames and folding linkwork interposed between the frames which, when erected, definitely spaces the same, inner and outer body enclosures having iiexible sides extending between the frames and between which the linkwork is received, a running gear, longitudinal springs carried thereby having upwardly and inwardly curving ends at either end of the body, shackles each having one end ccnnected to the end of a spring, the` other ends being normally disposed, in the erected position of the carriage, outwardly of the lateral sides ci the body and within the projected outlines thereof, a bail pusher handle at one end of the carriage having arms lying outwardly of the lateral sides of the outer body, brackets extending rigidly from the lower frame beyond the margins of the outer body pivotally supporting said arms, the ends of thearms being pivoted to the other ends of the shackles at the adjacent end of the body, brackets encircling the margins of the outer body to which the other ends of the shackles'at the further endfof the body are pivoted, links extending from said arms between the inner and outer bodies andiconnected to the linkwork for actuating the saine, said links having recurved ends where they. .fare attached to the arms providing open throats into which the margin vof the lateral sideslf the outer body may enter when the handle ,is folded over.

4. A baby carriage comprising a body skeleton including upperg-'gnd lower frames and folding linkwork interposed between the frames which, when erected, definitely spaces the same, inner and outer bodyfenclosures having flexible sides extending between' the frames and between which the linkwork is received, a running gear having springs from which the lower frame is suspended, a bail pusher handle at one end of the carriage having arms extending outward of the lateral sides of the outer abody, means pivotally connecting said arms tothe lower frame, links extending from said arms between the inner and outer bodies and connected to the linkwork for actuating the same, said links having recurved ends where they are 'attached to the arms providing open throats into which the margin of the lateral sides of the outer body may enter when the handle is folded over.

5. A baby carriage comprising a collapsible body having a body-supporting skeleton which includes upper fand lower frames and folding llnkwork interposed between the frames, a baillike pusher handle having its arms pivoted to said lower frame. links from said arms to the linkwork for erecting and collapsing the same as the handle is moved to generally vertical and horizontal positions respectively, the arms being extended past their pivots above referred to, body-supporting springs connected at one end of the carriage to the extensions of the varms and having operative connection to the lower frame at the other end of the carriage, and separate independently operating and operable springpressed latches for connecting the two legs of the handle to a relatively ilxed portion of the carriage to retain the handle in such'l generally vertical position whereby two separate latchretracting operations are necessary to release the handle.

HAROLD F. SHAW.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 432,492 Marqua July 15, 1890 746,190 Southard Dec. 8, 1903 1,094,419 Beier Apr. 28, 1914 2,114,725 Siebert et al. Apr. 19, 1938 2,141,538 Larsen D ec. 27, 1938 2,208,252 Feldman July 16, 1940 FOREIGN PATENTS Number Country Date 343,739 Great Britain Feb. 26, 1931 640,844 France July 23, 1928 

